For Earth Day: It is Easy Being Green

This January, while many people were making New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, or save money, I decided to “go green.”

Actually, I should say “go greener,” because I’ve always done things like recycle newspapers and cans. But this year, I decided I was going all out to make a difference in protecting our environment. On this Earth Day, a day to bring awareness to what we are doing and not doing to protect our planet, I’d like to share five simple ideas on what I’ve done to reduce my carbon footprint.

1.  Goodbye plastic water bottles.

I made the commitment to totally give up plastic water bottles. Instead, I make sure to always have my Snoopy metal water bottle with me. According to one report, each year Americans buy 28 billion plastic water bottles. Only around 20 percent of those are being recycled, meaning 5.5 billion are ending up in our landfills. A single plastic water bottle can take hundreds of years to decompose — meaning that water bottle you tossed out yesterday won’t disintegrate within your lifetime.      

2. Don’t talk trash, compost instead.

I’m very fortunate to work for a company that embraces “being green” and has a great composting program. However, in the past I have been lazy and at times would throw my trash in the closest trash can, instead of the designated compost bin. Not anymore. I now make sure to compost or recycle as much as possible, even if it means taking a few steps out of the way. I’ve even gone so far as to scold coworkers when I see an apple core or banana peel in their trash can. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, last year yard trimmings and food waste accounted for more than 22 percent of our nation’s trash.

3. Unplugged and loving it.

OK, so this is the green resolution that my friends laugh at the most. Any time they go to turn on the light at my house, there’s always an immediate sigh that follows.  You see, last year I was watching “Oprah” about being green and saving money. She had a guest who said she unplugged all of her appliances when not in use and saved up to $100 a year. I decided to give it a try and unplugged all my lamps when I’m not using them. And of course, I switched to compact florescent light bulbs that use a lot less energy. I know lamps aren’t major appliances, but it’s a small step toward conserving electricity. The EPA estimates $13 billion worth of wasted energy leaks out of homes through cracks and tiny holes every single year. That would equal at least $150 per family.

4. Both sides of the story.

I’ve always recycled paper, but this year I doubled my efforts. I now make all my photocopies double-sided, and print documents on the back (blank) side of used paper. For example, several times a week I will get a fax, “vacation in Cancun.”  Instead of tossing that fax in the recycling bin, I now stick it back in the printer to use the blank side. I estimate that I save about half a ream of paper a week. The Public Recycling Officials of Pennsylvania says for every ton of paper recycled, 17 trees are saved.

5. My Green Thumb.

Even though it’s turning out to be a lot of work and a bit expensive to start, I have gotten into gardening. I’ve already planted some spring annuals and spring perennials and love the blooming results. However, flowers are not only pretty to look at and smell. They are also a key part of the ecosystem, attracting insects and serving as the lowest part of the food chain. The best time of the day to water is late evening or early morning. That’s when it’s usually less windy and cooler, resulting in less evaporation and more efficient water use.